T Minus 13 and counting

In a mere 13 hours we will be on our first of three planes heading to Bishkek. Somehow this STILL does not seem real. To go back three and a half years and experience what all we have gone through and to actually be HERE, it just hasn't sunk in yet.

So prepare for a long day's narrative. I went first thing over to Robertson County to get authentications and met my friend Lisa to drop off some things for her mother-in-law to embroider for me. I headed home, picked up Joshua for haircuts. Kevin headed to pick up our police clearance letters and to have them authenticated. Josh and I both had haircuts, went to Walgreens for my visa photos, grabbed a bite to eat and I met Kevin with my document and he, Josh and my MIL headed downtown to have the documents state certified. I went to the bank (again) and got the money Josh has been saving from his allowance to take on the trip and made a deposit. We met back at home and immediately Kevin and I left again to go to Montgomery County to execute our updated wills. I had two jobs to do there. We got home just in time for Kevin, Joshua and MIL to leave for Joshua's baseball game. After a double header, we have returned home where we are just now packing and cleaning house.

I will try to post more tomorrow. My friend Iris is taking us to the airport and will make us pose for photos, I'm sure. I'm still debating what to wear in order to be comfy for the long haul. We will be in "travel mode" for 26 hours.

We were blessed by seeing a wonderful double rainbow at the baseball park tonight. I took photos, but don't have them where I can upload them yet. God made a promise to Noah and reminded him that this rainbow was a symbol of his promise. God made a promise to my heart some three and a half years ago as well and I can't help but believe that rainbow was a reminder of the fulfillment of His promise. I can't tell you the last time I saw a rainbow.

We've had phone calls and emails all day from friends and family wishing us well and safe travels. One of my favorites, however, was from my friend Mary, who was my best friend in junior high. She left the most wonderful message on my voice mail and if she is reading, I hope she knows that it doesn't matter how long it has been since we've talked, you'll always have a special place in my heart and I'm so glad to have your friendship and you prayers. You are a blessing to our lives.

My condolences to the family of Steven Curtis Chapman who lost his daughter, Maria, in a tragic accident on Wednesday. We were a recipient of a Shaohannah's Hope grant, which is where they are requesting donations be made. What a blessing to have such a tragedy for one family turn into such a blessing for others. My heart goes out to them and to their son.

I can't wait to meet our Ellie. Kevin said today (very matter-of-factly I might add), "She's going to be a daddy's girl". Hmmpffff ... what am I, burnt toast? :-)

More soon!!